Temba Bavuma found guilty of breaching Level 1 of ICC Code of Conduct, handed one demerit point

South Africa and Ireland are currently locked in a three-match T20I series. The visitors have already claimed the series after winning the first two games comprehensively. Meanwhile, there is some bad news coming their way as Temba Bavuma has been found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Ireland.

Advertisment

Bavuma was booked for “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.” which violates Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

The Article prohibits use of any offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) words which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. The Proteas skipper was thus handed one demerit point for the same.

The incident occurred in the sixth over of South Africa’s innings, when Bavuma used an audible obscenity on being adjudged caught behind.

Advertisment

Bavuma has admitted to the offence and accepted the punishment proposed by Kevin Gallagher of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations and there was no need for a formal hearing, therefore.

On-field umpires Alan Neill and Mark Hawthorne, third umpire Rolland Black and fourth official Paul Reynolds levelled the charge against him.

If found guilty of breaching the Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the player can be officially reprimanded, fined 50 percent of match fees or can be handed one or two demerit points.

It must be noted that four or more demerit points within a period of 24 months can result in the conversion of demerit points into suspension points. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.